Formulating a Research Problem

Chapter 1 – Formulating a Research Problem
The importance of formulating a research problem The formulation of a research problem is the first and most important step of the research process. It is like the identification of a destination before undertaking a journey. In the absence of a destination, it is impossible to identify the shortest – or indeed any – route. Similarly, in the absence of a clear research problem, a clear and economical plan is impossible. The research problem serves as the foundation of a research study, if it is well formulated, you can expect a good study to follow.

Initially, you may become confused but this is normal. Remember: confusion is often but a first step towards clarity. Take time over formulating your problem, for the clearer you are about your research problem/question, the easier it will be for you later on. Remember, this is the most crucial step.

Sources of research problems

Most research in the humanities revolves around four Ps:

•people
•problems
•programmes
•phenomena

The emphasis on a particular ‘P’ may vary from study to study but generally, in practice, most research studies are based upon at least a combination of two Ps.

Every research study has two aspects: the people provides you with the ‘study population’, whereas the other 3Ps furnish the subject areas. Your study population – individuals, groups and communities – is the people from whom the information is collected. Your subject area is a problem, programme or phenomenon about which the information is collected

Table 4.1 Aspects of a research problem
Aspects of a studyAboutStudy of
Study PopulationPeopleIndividuals, organizations,
Groups, communitiesThey provide you with the required information or you collect information from or about them Subject area

Information that you need to collect to find
answers to your service
research questions

Considerations in selecting a research problem

1.Interest – Interest should be the most important consideration in selecting a research problem. A research endeavor is usually time consuming and involves hard work and possibly unforeseen problems. If you select a topic which does not greatly interest you, it could become extremely difficult to sustain the required motivation and put enough time and energy to complete it.

2. Magnitude – You should have sufficient knowledge about the research process to be able to visualize the work involved in completing the proposed study. Narrow the topic down to some-

thing manageable, specific and clear. It is extremely important to select a topic that you canmanage within the time and with the resources at your disposal. Even if you are undertaking a descriptive study, you need to consider its magnitude carefully.

3. Measurement of concepts – If you are using a concept in your study (in quantitative studies)make sure you are clear about its indicators and their measurement. For example, if you plan to measure the effectiveness of a health promotion programme, you must be clear as to what determines effectiveness and how it will be measured. Do not use concepts in your researchproblem that you are not sure to measure. This does not mean you cannot develop ameasurement procedure as the study progresses. While most of the developmental workwill be done during your study, it is imperative that you are reasonably clear about the measurement of these concepts at this stage.

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...Sy Tu, Marian Rachelle C.
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Elements and Guidelines in Selecting a ResearchProblem
INTRODUCTION
A Researchproblem is the first and foremost step in a scientific method for conducting a research. To initiate a research, there should be pre-occurred ideas that generated the necessity for the research to be carried out. The ideas are developed while going through literatures, discourses with experts and continuation of activities related to the subject matter. These ideas develop into some specific topics that will be interesting or rewarding if investigated. These topics generally called problems.
Problems are identified by means of group participation. A group of knowledgeable persons are identified and their statements in negative sense are collected and grouped into different groups. Then, from each group, a statement which appears most representative of the group is selected. There, statements are arranged in sequential order as they appear to the group of experts in the subject matter. These statements are called problems.
There are 5 elements of a ResearchProblem:
1. Aim- answers the question “Why”.
2. Subject Matter - This answers the question “What?” What is to be researched or studied?”
3. Period - The period or time of the study when the data are to be gathered. This answers...

...RESEARCHPROBLEM:
A problem is (1) any significant, perplexing and challenging situation, real or artificial, the solution of which requires reflective thinking; (2) a perplexing situation after it has been translated into a question or series of questions that help determine the direction of subsequent inquiry.
ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCHPROBLEM
The term researchproblem implies that an investigation, inquiry or study is to be conducted, or that the problem is ready for investigation, inquiry or study. There are certain elements that a problem must possess before it becomes a researchproblem ready for investigation.
1. AIM or PURPOSE OF THE PROBLEM FOR INVESTIGATION. This answers the question “Why?” Why is there an investigation, inquiry or study?
2. THE SUBJECT MATTER OR TOPIC TO BE INVESTIGATED. This answers the question ”What?” What is to be investigated or to be studied?
3. THE PLACE OR LOCALE WHERE THE RESEARCH IS TO BE CONDUCTED. This answers the question “Where?” Where is the study to be conducted?
4. THE PERIOD OR TIME OF THE STUDY DURING WHICH THE DATA ARE TO BE GATHERED. This answers the question “When?” When is the the study to be carried out?
5. POPULATION OR UNIVERSE FROM WHOM THE DATA ARE TO BE COLLECTED. This answers the question...

...Characteristics of ResearchProblems
The researchproblem is the core of a research process, devoid of no research process can be a success. In the formulation of the problem, it is essential to have variables that are easily exclusive, as well as a hypothesis that accompanies every researchproblem. After clearly identifying a researchproblem, it must be translated into a research hypothesis stating a relationship between variables in a number of populations. Therefore, the assignment tends to reflect on the connection of the researchproblem, the research hypothesis, along with the existing variables (Irvine & Gaffikin, 2006).
The ResearchProblem
A researchproblem is the initial step in a research process, and it is the most significant requirement within the researchproblem. It acts as the basis of research study, therefore, through ideal formulation; an appropriate study tends to take place. In order for a researcher in solving the problem, he or she must understand what the problem is, thereby comprehending what one is attempting to do. A researchproblem, along with the manner in which...

...1 WHAT IS A RESEARCHPROBLEM?
A researchproblem is the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context involving the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation.
There are many problem situations that may give rise to research. Three sources usually contribute to problem identification. Own experience or the experience of others may be a source of problem supply. A second source could be scientific literature. You may read about certain findings and notice that a certain field was not covered. This could lead to a researchproblem. Theories could be a third source. Shortcomings in theories could be researched.
Research can thus be aimed at clarifying or substantiating an existing theory, at clarifying contradictory findings, at correcting a faulty methodology, at correcting the inadequate or unsuitable use of statistical techniques, at reconciling conflicting opinions, or at solving existing practical problems.
2 IDENTIFICATION OF THE PROBLEM
The prospective researcher should think on what caused the need to do the research (problem identification). The question that he/she should ask is:...

...University, "a researchproblem is the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease". Do you feel the same way about your researchproblem?
A researchproblem is the situation that causes the researcher to feel apprehensive, confused and ill at ease. A researchproblem is the first step and the most important requirement in the researchprocess. It serves as the foundation of a research study thus if well formulated, youexpect a good study to follow. It is the demarcation of a problem area within a certain context involving the WHO or WHAT, the WHERE, the WHEN and the WHY of the problem situation. According the Kerlinger; in order for one to solve a problem, one must know what the problem is. The large part of the problem is knowing what one is trying to do.
Hence, a "researchproblem" is an interrogative sentence that asks what relation exists between two or more variables. And the answer is what is being sought in the research.
It is something that bothers you which needs to be resolved by research. It is the beginning of the research process and ends with the solution to the problem.
Examples:
A researchproblem and the way...

...for MIS research using survey.
The first part of the paper defines survey research and discuss its application.
Difference between survey and survey research
In general, a survey is a means of gathering information about one or many certain characteristics, or opinion of a population.
A survey research is conducted to advance scientific knowledge ⇒ for research purpose
Characteristics:
Produce quantitative results. The subjects may be individuals, groups, organization, or also may be projects, applications…
The main way of collecting information is by asking people structured and predefined questions
The sample is large enough to allow extensive statistical analyses
Application
In order to best understand the application of survey method, we compare survey research with 2 other dominant methods in MIS: case studies and lab experiments.
Case studies involve the examination of a phenomenon in its natural setting. The researcher has no control over the phenomenon, but can control the scope and time of the examination
May not have clearly dependent and independent variables
Most appropriate when the researcher is interested in the relation between context and the phenomenon of interest.
Lab experiments involve examination of a phenomenon in a controlled settting.
Researcher manipulates the independent variables and see the effects on the dependent variables
Most...

...﻿
Research Proposal
Introduction
Statement of Purpose: Studying abroad has evolved as common phenomenon around the globe. Every year cross border education is becoming more popular and people are travelling around the globe in-search of better education, better living standards and a better future. Everything new comes with new challenges and that applies to international students who travel abroad in search of better education. The research paper will regard and focus on problems that international students generally face at Australian Universities. The research as a whole will also consider various issues such as adjustment issues, cultural shock, language difficulty, understanding the expectation and grading system e.t.c. The motivation behind the research is to bring various problems faced by international students in Australian universities to limelight and contribute for better solutions.
Literature Review
Australia has evolved as one of the best education destination around the world and the number of students are growing every year. It is estimated that Australia provides education to almost 9% of world's cross-border international tertiary students.
(http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/Lookup/4102.0Main+Features20Dec+2011#WHAT).
A study shows that 2,28,555 international students were enrolled in various universities in 2004, and that is...

...The ResearchProblem
Sources of ResearchProblems
1. Personal interest and observation
2. Pressing problem needing a solution
3. Other’s investigator’s theories and research
4. Literature in one’s field of specialization
5. Completed researches
6. Suggestions from colleagues and teachers
Ways of Stating the ResearchProblem
1. Declarative or Descriptive Form- is used when stating the main problem of the study.
2. Question Form- is used when stating the sub-problems or specific problems of the
proposed research.
Example:
Main Problem: This study probed the influence of length of internet exposure of the first year high school students on their performance in Mathematics in the Philippine Women’s College of Davao during the academic year 2011-2012.
Sub-problems: The following problems were answered in this research:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of the following variables:
a. sex;
b. length of internet exposure;
c. program enrolled (regular or SEMAP);
d. availability of internet service at home;
e. performance in mathematics based on CEM results and periodic
grades.
2. What is the dominant grade in mathematics...